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Evan Lysacek awaits the judges' verdict

Kiss and Cry. In figure skating it’s the little booth in which the skater and coach await the results. They kiss, they hug, they drink water, they hold roses and Teddy bears…. but most of all they come to grips with the performance. As presenters, we all need a kiss and cry moment after delivering a talk. For me, it’s usually when I’m driving home or back to a hotel at the end of the day. I always ask myself: “What two things went really well, and what two things would I do differently next time?” When I return to my office, I write down those ideas and formulate an action plan while things are fresh in my mind. I encourage you to do the same – it’s a great way to face that moment of honesty and to constantly grow. Kiss and cry. It will be worth it.

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Mr. Style wins Gold

My prediction was correct. Style would win over technical difficulty. I stayed up late last night to watch the men’s figure skating competition. What a show…. what a dual. Evan Lysacek from the US had the style (and the Vera Wang costume with the snakes) ; Plushenko from Russia had the quad. Lysacek would win…. I knew it…. just like I know you will win the prize in your next presentation if you let your style explode. In the research I’ve done with audiences for over 25 years, the facts are the same: your technical efforts (organization, information, slides, etc,) will get the job done, but the audience rates your style above all else. Are you enthusiastic, authentic, and believable? For your next presentation, think about the delivery….. but you’ll have to leave the snakes behind.

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Shaun soars to Gold

Shaun White has it. It! Olympic Champion, innovator, media darling. He has it! Here are some tips you can use in your next presentation – inspired by Shaun:
1. Do the McTwist 1260 Shaun had a surprise for the audience – a trick they had not seen before. Instead of doing the same old boring PowerPoint presentation, why don’t you surprise the audience with something unexpected? You could change your presentation to a discussion format, take in an interesting prop, do a top-10 list, tell a compelling story or example. Get the drift?
2. Smile more If you’ve seen Shaun, you have seen his smile – so natural and endearing. If you are excited about your topic, the audience wants to see it on your face.
3. Be natural There’s no doubt in your mind that Shaun is 100% of himself all the time. Take 100% of yourself into each and every presentation – be enthusiastic, be conversational.
Try these tips in your next presentation, and you will soar.

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Canadian figure skating champion Patrick Chan had a mediocre performance in his short program. He suffered a full point deduction for not ending his routine when the music stopped. Ouch! The judges place a high value for ending on time. So does your audience. Respect the fact that your audience wants you to end on time. If you are crunched for time, cut to the message and a few remaining points. When the music stops…… the message stops.

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Besides watching all of the terrific Olympic events, I have fun listening to the athlete interviews. TV commentators often ask them about nervousness. Notice how they answer the question:
Apolo Ohno said “When I’m ready to compete, I just flip the switch.”
Charles Hamelin, the Canadian short track skating hopeful, was asked if he felt nervous carrying the whole weight of his country on his back. He replied, “I feed off the energy.”

As you are listening to the interviews, pay attention to how the athletes turn nerves into pumped-up, electric energy – they welcome the surge of adrenalin. Presenters can do the same thing – it’s all about mindset. Are you thinking “nervous” …..or “energy surge?” Adopting the perspective of an athlete will actually help channel your nerves into a powerful performance. Flame on!

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